Inaugural Asia Music Festival set to rock Miri

by Jacqueline Raphael, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on September 6, 2013, Friday

COME SUPPORT THE EVENT: (Fom left) Robert, Lai, Sim, Rashid and Kueh (second right) with Asia Music Festival promotional banners in a photo call after the press conference.

MIRI: Asia Music Festival, another event celebrating music, is set to take centre stage here next month with an almost full line-up for the said event already confirmed.

An electrifying eclectic mix of live music will be run from Oct 4-5 at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club.

The event is set to become another iconic music festival for the state after the success of Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in Kuching and Borneo Jazz in Miri. Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) will bring together several key musicians from India, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Korea, Brunei as well as the country to this inaugural event.

“This is another event the board has created to attract visitors to the resort city of Miri.

“With this, we hope that visitors from our neighbouring countries Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and our fellow Malaysians will come for the two days of fun and music,” said STB chief executive officer Rashid Khan. He added that the STB looks forwards to introduce this new event with its objective of attracting the Asian expatriate community working in neighbouring countries like Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore.

The event will be in a carnival style as apart from the night shows, there will also be fun events in the afternoon with lots of food, fun and games.

Rashid pointed out that the board is also proud to continue its successful internship and volunteer programme which was initiated in past events like the RWMF. Through this programme, STB will provide a unique learning experience for the volunteers and interns exposing them to Sarawak’s culture, nature and adventure.

“This is an inspiring opportunity for everyone to come together and experience the adventure of yet another music festival,” reiterated Rashid.

Meanwhile, Miri Mayor Lawrence Lai said he is happy that the event will be a new addition to the major events of the city.

“I am proud that Miri has been chosen for the inaugural event and I was informed that the annual event will be in Miri for at least five years.

“This will bring good economic spin-off for to our stakeholders such as hoteliers, taxi drivers, food and drinks business operators,” he pointed out.

Lai added that he is confident that the event will attract a wider and more diversified audience as it will feature Asian music of all genres. A mixture of live music including a mix-genre of music from national, regional and local talents will be featured. The initial line-up of performers initiated by STB among others are Antoney Dassan Yen Party (India), The Foxy Girls (Indonesia), Bembol Rockers (Philippines), V.Star Band (Korea), Boy Thai Band (Thailand), Soesah Tidoer (Indonesia), Fakhrul Razi (Brunei) and several Malaysian bands.

Entry tickets are priced at RM30 for adults and RM15 for children/students aged between 3 and 18.

Tickets will be available starting this coming Monday from all STB offices and from the Visitors Information Centre at Old Court House Kuching (082-423600), Jalan Melayu Miri (085-434180) and Jalan Tukang Besi, Sibu (084-340980). For enquiries, contact STB at 082-239171 or email them at leisure@sarawaktourism.com or visit their website at www.asiamusicfestival.net or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SarawakTravel for more updates.

Among those present at the press conference yesterday were the event project director Michael Sim, councillor Robert Ayu as well asEastwood Valley Golf and Country Club chief executive officer Kueh Chie Tong.

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